Nature conservation
Today, nature conservation is a wide-ranging field of activity centred on activities to protect flora and fauna and to preserve our landscape.
The objectives of nature conservation are laid down in the Federal Nature Conservation Act: "Nature and the landscape are to be protected due to their intrinsic value and as the basis for human life and health, also in responsibility for future generations in populated and unpopulated areas ..."
The first nature conservation areas were designated in Chemnitz as early as 1956. Today, there are over 70 of these areas, including areas with several 10,000 wild orchids. The richly structured urban fringe landscape is home to over 1,000 legally protected biotopes with many rare animals and plants. Special aid projects in species conservation help rare and endangered species in Chemnitz to preserve their habitats so that future generations can experience nature in our city.
Despite all efforts to protect species, it is clear that many species, such as amphibians, birds and insects, are in sharp decline, which means that comprehensive measures to preserve biodiversity are urgently needed.
Events 2026
| Date | Event/Action | Place/meeting point | Organiser |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, 20 March, 3 to 6 pm | "Litter and rubbish-free nature reserves" campaign For anyone who wants to help - litter clean-up in the "Chemnitzaue bei Draisdorf" nature reserve Interested parties are asked to register by e-mail. | Heinersdorfer Straße / bridge over the Chemnitz river |
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| Tuesday, 24 March, 5 p.m. | Lecture "Bird and bat protection on buildings - How can we help help endangered animal species?" | Chemnitz Nature Conservation Centre, Adelsbergstraße 192, 09127 Chemnitz |
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| Tuesday, 21 April, 5 p.m. | Excursion "Bird song hike for late risers and natural history hike in the southern Zeisigwald" | At the Heideschänke / access to the Zeißigwald forest |
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| Saturday, 13 June, from 9 a.m. | "Day for species conservation and environmental education" campaign Get to know nature, join in and protect! | Chemnitz Nature Conservation Centre, Adelsbergstraße 192, 09127 Chemnitz |
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| Tuesday, 30 June, from 17:30 | Excursion "Birds and insects love water buffalo - successful maintenance of nature conservation areas with water buffalo" | Eubaer Straße car park, opposite the Euba dam |
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| Tuesday, 21 July, | Summer meeting of the voluntary nature conservation service Appreciation event - excursion to the Erzgebirge OT Dörfel nature conservation centre (by invitation only) | ||
| Friday, 4 September, 7 p.m. | "Bat night at the castle pond" | Chemnitz castle pond, near the "Milchhäuschen" restaurant |
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| October | Orchard meadow day Joint apple harvest on the orchards in Draisdorf and Further information from the beginning of September 2026. |
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| Tuesday, 27 October, 5 p.m. | Nature film lecture: "Endlich(e) Vielfalt" - Biological diversity using the example of the Westerzgebirge | ChemnitzNature Conservation Centre, Adelsbergstraße 192, 09127 Chemnitz |
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| Tuesday, 17 November, 5 p.m. | Lecture: The Goosander - is it becoming a problem bird? | Chemnitz Nature Conservation Centre, Adelsbergstraße 192, 09127 Chemnitz |
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| Tuesday, 1 December, 3:30 pm | Christmas party of the voluntary nature conservation service Review 2026 / outlook 2027 | Chemnitz nature conservation centre, Adelsbergstraße 192, 09127 Chemnitz |
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For excursions, we recommend wearing appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes for the weather, as well as carpooling or using public transport.
Volunteer support is regularly needed in the practical nature conservation/nature conservation centre. Work assignments in nature are regularly offered for this purpose. If you are interested, please send your e-mail address to: umweltamt.naturschutz(at)stadt-chemnitz.de. You will then receive an up-to-date invitation to the practical assignments.
If you have any questions about the events, please get in touch using the contact details provided.
Biotopes
Hedgehog protection
Robot mowers: major risk of injury for hedgehogs
For many gardeners, robotic mowers are a dream of a green and well-tended lawn and are becoming increasingly popular. However, this dream can quickly turn into a nightmare for hedgehogs and other small domestic animals. Silent robotic lawnmowers are very practical for us humans, but often deadly for hedgehogs, especially when they are used at dusk or at night.
Mortal danger for hedgehogs
Hedgehogs are crepuscular and nocturnal and are therefore particularly at risk as they are not flight animals. Instead, they curl up and rely on the protection of their spines. This often results in serious cuts or severed limbs, which often lead to death. Another problem is that many robotic mower models do not recognise small animals without touching them first. Contrary to the claims of many manufacturers, scientific studies by the Leibnitz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research show that the robotic lawnmowers only stop and turn away when they come into direct contact with hedgehogs. Stiftung Warentest came to a similar conclusion in its last robot mower test (04/2024).
Loss of species due to excessive green maintenance
Not only robotic lawnmowers are dangerous for animals, but also string mowers, brushcutters and brushcutters that are used to trim lawn edges or under bushes and hedges. Hedgehogs in particular retreat to these places to sleep during the day.
Frequent mowing, brush cutters and leaf blowers also jeopardise biodiversity in the garden: amphibians, insects and arachnids are literally shredded, whirled up or sucked in. With frequent mowing, native wild herbs disappear and insects can no longer find food. This also poses challenges for hedgehogs in their search for food. They often have to travel long and dangerous distances to build up enough fat reserves for hibernation.
Biodiversity in the garden
The home garden is not only a recreational area for people, it can also make a decisive contribution to preserving biodiversity. If you want to help hedgehogs and the like, you can observe the following points in your garden:
- Only leave robotic lawnmowers running during the day and never leave them unattended.
- Be careful and considerate when working in the garden.
- Create refuges by not removing leaves, deadwood and brushwood piles or by deliberately creating them.
- Plant native plants and shrubs.
- Create flowering meadows or leave part of the meadow standing when mowing.
With a conscious approach, you can maintain your garden and at the same time provide a habitat for our native wildlife.
Link Leibnitz Institute:
Link hedgehog protection flyer environmental centre:
(see pdf flyer)
